US3110910A

US3110910A - Folding bed construction

Info

Publication number: US3110910A
Application number: US77203A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rea Alfred
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-12-20
Filing date: 1960-12-20
Publication date: 1963-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 1980-11-19

Description

Nov. 19, 1963 A. REA

FOLDING BED CONSTRUCTION 7 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR. A1. FRED REA BY Hfs Afro/enfans HAee/s, /f/Ecw, Rassgu. /fsev Nov. 19, 1963 A. REA

FOLDING BED CONSTRUCTION 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed DeC- 20, 1960 INVENTOR. A L FRED REA Y H/s A 7mm/ers HAee/s, MECH, Russa/.L KERN Nov. 19, 1963 A. REA

FOLDING BED CONSTRUCTION m T Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

. ALFRED REA Filed Dec. 20. 19

QS i QQ N HA/Qe/s, K/Ecw, Passa/.L /(fev Nov. 19, 1963 A. REA 3,110,910

FOLDING BED CDNSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 20, 1960 7 SheetsgSheet 4 Fra. 4/74 IN V EN TOR. ALFRED /PEA 5) H/S A TTORA/E Nov. 19, 1963 A. REA 3,110,910

FOLDING BED CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 20, )60 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VUV TOR. ALFRED REA y /f/s Arrow/EVS #A22/s, MECH, Russi/ L M524/ Nov. 19, 1963 A, REA

FOLDING BED CONSTRUCTION 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 20, 1960 INVENTOR. ALFRED REA y H/.s Ance/vm HARR/s, MECH, Russf/.L fc/ffm Nov. 19, 1963 A. REA

FOLDING BED CONSTRUCTION BY H/s ArroeA/Eys HARe/S; /ECH, Russe/ L /fn/ United States Patent O 3,110,910 FOLDING BED CONSTRUCTIGN Alfred Rea, 2230 Chamwood Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. Filed Dec. 20, 1960, Ser. No. 77,203 12 Claims. (Cl. S-13) The present invention relates in general to the class of furniture known as folding beds which includes chair beds, sofa beds, and bed divans. The invention will be considered specifically in connection with a chair bed for convenience, with the understanding that it may readily be applied to a sofa bed or bed divan merely by widening the structure. Consequently, whenever the invention is referred to herein as a chair bed it will be understood that the term by definition includes sofa beds, bed divans and other folding beds as well. This application is a continuation-impart of my application Serial No. 648,368, filed March 25, 1957, now Patent No. 2,999,250.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a sturdy and compact chair bed frame which is of relatively simple construction and easy to operate and which maly be incorporated in chairs of any desired furniture sty e.

One object of the invention is to provide a main frame which is a rigid structure comprising rigidly intercon nected metallic frame members of structural cross section, e.g` angle sections or the like. The provision of such a main frame results in a sturdy mount for the folding bed frame which is pivotally mounted therein.

The invention contemplates a folding bed frame which comprises four longitudinally extending sections interconnected by transverse pivot means. Considering this folding bed frame in its unfolded or extended position, the section thereof nearest the back of the main frame will be referred to hereinafter as the head section, and the section farthest from the back of the main frame will be referred to as the foot section. This terminology is derived from the normal sleeping position wherein the sleepers head is nearest the chair back. The intermediate section nearest the foot section will be referred `to as the forward intermediate section while the intermediate section nearest the head section will be referred to as the rearward intermediate section. An additional object of the invention is to provide a folding bed frame having the foregoing general structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding bed frame of the foregoing nature wherein the foot section, the forward intermediate section, and the rearward intermediate section form the seat structure of the chair when the bed frame is in its folded or retracted position, the foot section being disposed in a generally horizontal position above and generally parallel to the rearward intermediate section and the forward intermediate section being disposed in a generally upright position adjacent the front of the seat structure under such circumstances. Under these same conditions, the head `section is -disposed in a generally upright position at the back of the chair.

An object of the invention of considerable importance is to provide a folding bed frame of the foregoing nature which is bodily movable forwardly as a unit, before unfolding thereof beigns, to a position clear of the chair back, which has the effect of reducing the over-al1 length of the bed frame, since no portion thereof is under the chair back when the bed frame is in its extended position. This is an important feature of the invention, since it reduces the over-all size of the chair bed.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a folding bed frame wherein the forward intermediate section, while generally upright when the bed frame is in its retracted position, is maintained in a downwardly and rearwardly inclined or sloping position under such conditions. Consequently, the forward intermediate sec- 3,1 10,9 l 0 Patented Nov. 19, 1 963 ICC tion of `the bed frame makes an obtuse angle with the rearward intermediate section and makes an acute angle with the foot section when the bed frame is retracted, with a mattress being folded between the front section and the rearward intermediate section and being disposed between the sloping forward intermediate section and the head section.

The provision of `such a downwardly and rearwardly sloping forward intermediate section, instead of a vertical forward intermediate section, is an important feature of the invention for various reasons. First, such a sloping forward intermediate section provides more room for the mattress at the forward end of the seat structure formed by the folded foot, forward intermediate and rearward intermediate sections, and thus has the eifect of reducing the over-al1 length of the folding bed frame. Secondly, this sloping forward intermediate section permits two, upper and lower, folds in the mattress at the forward end of the seat structure, instead of a single U-fold, which provides a softer front edge for the seat structure, since the upper mattress fold is located above and forwardly of, and is thus substantially unsupported by, the lower mattress fold.

An object in connection with the foregoing angular relation between the forward intermediate section of the `folding bed frame and the foot and rearward intermediate sections thereof is to provide an upholsterable auxiliary frame pivotally connected to the foot section adjacent to the pivotal interconnection between `the foot section and the forward intermediate section. This auxiliary frame forms the front of the seat structure provided by the folded bed frame.

Another and quite important object of the invention is to provide a chair bed which may be completely upholstered by attaching to the main frame or the folding bed frame four pre-upholstered units, one of these including a back frame attached to the main frame, the second and third including arm frames and also attached to the main frame, and the fourth including the aforementioned auxiliary frame, which is attachable to the folding bed frame, and which forms the front of the seat structure constituted by the folding bed frame. With this construction, the back, arms, and auxiliary frames may be upholstered independently of each other and mounted on the main frame, or the folding bed frame, as the case may be, to complete the chair bed. Thus, there is no necessity for upholstering the main and folding bed frames directly, since any desired pre-upholstered back, arm, and auxiliary frames may be mounted thereon, which greatly simplifies manufacture, and which permits interchanging of pre-upholstered back, arm, and auxiliary frame units to provide color variations and the like.

Another object lof the invention is to provide a mattress hold-down arrangement for preventing movement of the foot section of the folding bed frame upwardly away from the rearward intermediate section thereof when the bed frame is in its retracted position.

Another object is to provide a folding bed structure with means for maintaining the foot section and the forward intermediate section o-f the folding bed frame in their relatively retracted positions during movement of the head section out of its vertical retracted position into horizontal alignment with the rearward intermediate section.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a chair bed structure having a main frarne, which mova bly supports a bed frame therein through a linkage means pivotally connected to the main frame and to the head section, This linkage means provides downward and forward movement of `the head section from its vertical retracted position toward its horizontal extended position. The bed frame is also `movably supported by the main frame through an arm means pivotally connected to the main frame and to the rearward intermediate section and swingable in the fore-and-aft direction through an upright position to guide the bed frame between its retracted and extended positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chair bed structure wherein the sections of the folding bed frame open in a particular sequence and with a particular movement. In a preferred embodiment of the chair bed of the invention, means is provided for moving the head section from its vertical, retracted position downwardly and forwardly away from the rear of the main frame into horizontal alignment with the rearward intermediate section. Means is also provided for maintaining the foot section and the forward intermediate section in their relative retracted positions during movement of the head section out of its vertical retracted positio-n into horizontal alignment with the rearward intermediate section. This latter means permits the movement of the forward intermediate section into horizontal alignment with the rearward intermediate section subsequent to the alignment of the head and rearward intermediate sections. Means is also provided for delaying the movement of the foot section into horizontal alignment with the forward intermediate section until after the latter section has been placed in alignment with the rearward intermediate sec tion.

T'ne foregoing objects, advantages, features, and results of the present invention, together with various other objects, advantages, features, and results thereof which will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure, may be attained with the exemplary embodiments of the invention described in detail hereinafter and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of a chair bed embodying the invention with `the various elements of a folding bed frame of the chair bed in their fully retracted positions, FIG. l being illustrative of only one of the many furniture styles to which the invention is suceptible of application;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational View similar to FIG. l, showing the folding bed frame of the chair bed of FIG. l in a partially extended or unfolded position;

FIG. 3 is fragmentary side elevation view similar to FIGS. l and 2, and showing the folding bed frame being unfolded, but extended farther than in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 4a are fragmentary side elevational views similar to FIGS. l, 2 and 3, but showing the folded bed frame extended farther than in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is another fragmentary side elevation view similar to the preceding figures, but illustrating a further movement in the unfolding of the bed frame, with the bed frame extended farther than FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of one side of the folding bed frame, removed from the main frame of the chair bed, illustrating the various elements in their retracted positions;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the arrowed line 7 7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a gravity lock employed in the structure of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with the mechanism in its locked position;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the gravity lock mechanism of FIG. 8, taken along the arrowed line 9 9 of that figure;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation, partially cut away, with the gravity lock mechanism of FIG. 8 in a tilted position and with the mechanism in its unlocked position;

FIG. 1l is a plan view of the chair bed of the invention, illustrating the folding bed frame in its fully retracted position with the chair cushion mattress and the chair back of FIG. 1 removed to permit a fuller illustion; and

FIG. 12 shows the chair bed of the invention in a tilted, partially-opened condition that permits easy access for cleaning beneath the bed.

Referring first to FIGS. l and 2 of the drawings, illustrated therein is a chair bed 30 of the invention, it being understood that, as previously pointed out, the chair bed illustrated in these gures is merely one of the numerous possible furniture styles or types in which the invention may be embodied. The chair bed 30 may be provided with legs 32 and include a seat structure 34 surmounted by a seat cushion 36. The seat structure 34 includes a folding bed frame 42, in a folded conditio-n.

The chair bed 30 is made up of several general components or elements, including: a rigid rectangular main frame 38, carried by the legs 32; an upholstered back frame 40 secured to the main frame 38; and the folding bed frame 42. movable, forwardly and rearwardly relative to the main frame 38 between an unfolded extended position an-d a folded retracted position, the bed frame forming the seat structure 34 when in its folded or retracted position, and being provided with an upholsterable auxiliary frame 44 which forms the front of the seat structure. Two upholsterable arm frames 45 (see FIG. ll) will normally be fixed to opposite sides of the main frame.

Considering tirst the main `frame 38, and referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 1l of the drawings, it will be seen that the mainframe is a rigid, rectangular structure, preferably of welded construction, and includes front and

rear frame members

46 and 48, and side frame members 50. The rear member is preferably an angle section or other structural cross section. The front member 46 of the main frame 38 is conveniently of a tube construction. Such a construction facilitates the grasping of that member by an individual in carrying the chair bed 30 about from one location to another.

The side `frame members 50 are preferably formed of flat metal and are provided with several spaced holes for receiving screws 51 for fastening the arm frame 45 thereto.

The main frame 38 at each of its rear corners is provided with an upright structure 54, which comprises a at vertical member 56 bent inwardly at its upper end to provide a horizontally-extending, short, transverse, supporting member 58, which carries at its inner end an upwardly-turned tab member 60. Each vertical member 56 at its lower end is xed to the respective side member 50 of the main frame 38. Each upright structure S4 has a second member 62 which serves as a brace for the vertical member 56, and provides a support for the back frame 40. The second members 62 of the upright structure 5'4 are preferably welded or otherwise rigidly fixed to the rear member 48 of the main frame 38, and extends upwandly from the rear member 48 tot the level of the transverse supporting members 58 (the bent end portions of the vertical members 56) where the second members are similarly bent, this time `fonwardly to provide forwardly-extending, horizontally-disposed supports 64 which at their forward ends are welded to the underside of the transverse supporting members 58. The upright structures 54 provide a rigid, pivotal support for the folding bed frame 42, which will not loosen with the passage of time so that the chair bed frame 30 of the invention will not become rickety even after prolonged use, which is an important feature of the invention.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the back frame 40 is secured by bolts 66 to each of the upright structures S4 at the rear of the chair. The bottom of the back frame 40 preferably rests on a ledge 66a extending rearwardly from the lower ends of the second members 62 of the upright structures 54. The back frame 40 at a level above the upright structures 54 carries an upholstered chair back 68.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings, the folding bed frame 42 is seen to be made up of four longitudinal or longitudinally extending sections which are interconnected by transverse pivot means, i.e., by pivot means providing transverse pivot axes, the four sections mentioned consisting, as best seen in FIG. 2, of a headl section 70, so termed because it iis at the head of the bed when the latter is occupied by a sleeper having his head adjacent to the rear of the chair ibed 30, a rearward intermediate section 72, a forward intermediate section 74, and a foot section 76. The pivot means connecting the rearward intermediate section 72 to the head section 70 is designated by the numeral 78, the pivot means coupling the `rearward intermediate section 72 to the forward intermediate section 74 is designated 80, and the pivot means connecting the foot section 76 to the forward intermediate section 74 is identified by numeral 82.

The head section 70 of the folding bed frame 42 includes two side frame members 84, which are preferably angle sections or other structural sections, and which are interconnected at the extreme head end of the bed frame by a transverse or cross `frame member 86 (see FIG. 11), also preferably `formed of an angle section member, rigidly connected to the side frame members 84 as by welding. The rearward intermediate section 72 of the d bed frame 42 includes two side frame members 88, (FIG. 2) which are preferably angle sections, and which are pivotally connected at their rearward ends to the forward ends of the side frame members 84 by pivots forming part of the pivot means 78. The forward intermediate section 74 `includes twoside frame members 90 of generally angle-shape section, and the `foot section 76 similarly includes two side vframe members 92, also preferably of angle-shape cross section. The side frame members 90 are pivotally connected at their rearward ends to the forward ends of the side frame members 88 of the rearward intermediate section by pivots forming part of the pivot means 80 and, similarly, the side frame members 92 of the foot section are pivotalily connected at their rearward ends to the forward ends of the side frame members 90 by pivots forming part of the pivot means 82. It will be understood that the pivots of the respective pivot means 78, 80 and 82 are all transversely axially aligned.

The side frame members 92 of the foot section 76 of the bed frame 42 are rigidly interconnected at the extreme foot of the bed by a transverse frame member 94, preferably of cylindrical cross section to provide a convenient grip for a person folding or unfolding the bed frame 42. The two side frame members 88 of the rearward intermediate section 72 are rigidly connected together at their rearward ends by a tubular transverse member 96 disposed between two downwardly extending plates 98 welded or otherwise rigidly fixed to the underside of the two frame members 88.

As best seen in FIG. 11 of the drawings, the side frame members of the

respective sections

70, 72, 74 and 76 are interconnected by a spring and wire assembly 100, which support a mattress, not shown in FIG. 11, when the bed frame `42 is in its extended position. When the bed frame 42 is in its fully retracted, folded condition, a `mattress 102 (see FIG. 1) which has been folded within it, is encompassed by the various sections of the bed frame. When the bed frame 42 is folded, the foot section 76 and the rearward intermediate section 72 are substantially parallel and generally horizontal with the foot section 76 being disposed above the rearward intermediate section 72 and with the mattress 102 doubled between these two sections. The forward intermediate section 74 is located at the front of the chair bed 30 under these conditions, i.e., is located at the front of the seat structure 34 formed by the folded bed frame 42, while the head section 70 is disposed ygenerally vertically at the rear of the chair bed adjacent the back frame 40 of the main frame 38.

An important feature of the chair bed of the present invention is that the forward intermediate section 74 slopes downwardly and rearwardly when the bed frame 42 is in its folded condition so that it supports the seat structure 34 for the cushion 36. This angle fold between the foot section 76 and the rearward intermediate section 72 avoids `a simple U-fold in the mattress at the forward end of the seat structure 34. Instead, the mattress is doubled on itself with virtually two folds, one in the obtuse angle between the

sections

72 and 74, and another in the acute angle between

sections

74 and 76. This has the effect of making the upper front edge of the seat structure 34 softer for greater comfort of the sitters knees, this increased softness being due to the fact that the upper mattress fold, i.e., the one in the acute angle defined by

sections

74 and 76, is located `forwardly of the lower mattress fold, i.e., the one in the obtuse angle, and thus derives minimum support from the lower mattress fold. At the same time, this double fold in the matrcss in effect shortens the folded length thereof, thereby reducing the fore-and-aft dimension of the seat structure 34 formed by the folded bed frame 42. Thus it is seen the

sections

72, 74, and 76 of the bed frame achieve important results.

While the forward intermediate section 74 of the folding bed frame 42 slopes upwardly and forwardly from its pivot connection with the rearward intermediate section 72 to provide the angle fold hereinbefore described, the auxiliary frame 44 squares off the front of the seat structure 34 to make the front of the seat structure nearly vertical, as is conventional in chair seat structures. The auxiliary frame 44 includes two hanger members 104 pivotally connected to the pivots 82 interconnecting the foot section 76 and the forward intermediate section 74. The two hanger members 104 are rigidly coupled together by a tubular member 106 which extends transversely of the bed frame 42. The auxiliary frame 44 is normally provided with a transverse upholstered member 10.8 (see FIG. l) attached to the two hanger members 104.

The folding bed frame in being opened is provided with a particular sequence and |certain predetermined movements which cooperate to provide a superior chair bed that may be readily opened or folded with a minimum of effort. Means are provided for moving the head section 70, as best seen in FIG. 2, downwardly and forwardly away from the rear of the main frame 38 into horizontal alignment with the rearward intermediate section 72. This particular movement is achieved while simultaneously maintaining the foot section 76 and the `forward intermediate section 74 in their relative retracted positions. When the head section 70 and the rearward intermediate section 72 are thus aligned, the linkage permits the movement next of the forward `intermediate section 74 into horizontal alignment with the rearward intermediate section 72. Linkage means delay the movement of the foot section 76 into horizontal alignment with the forward intermediate section 74 until after the latter section has been pla-ced in alignment with the rearward intermediate section 72.

As best seen in FIGS. l and 2, the head section 70 is pivotally held to the main frame 38 by two hanger means 110, which are respectively pivotally connected to the vertical members 56 of the two upright structures 54. This manner of pivotally supporting the rear of the folded bed frame 42 to the main frame 38 permits downward and forward movement of the head section 70 away from the back frame 40 of the chair bed into horizontal alignment with the rearward intermediate section 72 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

A multipurpose linkage arrangement 112 assures that the proper sequence of movements occurs. The linkage arrangement 112 includes linkage plates 114 pivotally coupled at their bottoms to the side frame members 88 of the rearward intermediate section 72. In this discussion of the linkage arrangement 112, the description will generally be made with reference to only one side of the folding bed frame 42, it being understood that the other side `is provided with a similar arrangement.

An elongated link 116 of the linkage arrangement 112 is pivotally held at its opposite ends as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, to an upper portion of the aforementioned linkage plate 114 and to a central portion of the head section 70. A crank member 118 is pivotally held at the pivotal connection 80 between the two

intermediate sections

72 and 74. The crank member is provided with a first leg member 120, which in its retracted position as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6 is held in close proximity to the underside of the rearward intermediate section 72. The crank member has a second leg member 12,2 disposed at an angle to the tirst leg member 120 and pivotally coupled at its outer end to a second elongated link 124. Link 124 at its rearward end is pivotally held to a central portion of the aforementioned linkage plate 114 by a pivot means 126.

The forward end of the folded bed frame 42 at either side is movably and pivotally suspended to the main frame 38 in the retracted position by a supporting arm means 128 (FIG. 2) which at its upper end is pivotally connected to the pivot means 126 of the linkage plate 114. The lower end of the supporting arm means 128 is pivotally connected to the main frame 33 by a pivot means 130 to permit the swinging of the supporting arm means 128 in a fore-and-aft direction through an upright position to guide the bed frame between its retracted and extended positions. Pivot means 130 comprises a pivot pin 132 resting at the bottom of an open, rearwardly and downwardly sloping channel member 134. The provision of this open channel member, as hereinafter explained, facilitates the removal of the folded bed frame 42 from the main frame 38 when desired. The supporting arm means 128 at the opposite sides of the folding bed frame 42 are connected by a tubular stabilizing rod 129 spaced between arms 131 afxed to the respective supporting arms means 128. The supporting arm means 128 has affixed to it, preferably by welding, a lateral, short arm 135.

The aforementioned hanger member 110 extends beyond its pivotal connection with the head section 70, providing a short arm 136, which is pivotally connected to a linkage member 138. The other end of the linkage member 138 is pivotally coupled to the aforementioned link 116 at a point near its rearward end, adjacent its pivotal connection with the head section 70. Linkage member 138 carries a short, lateral arm 140, which serves as an anchor for an elongated, coil tension spring 142 extending between linkage member 138 and the short, lateral arrn 135 of the supporting arm means 128. The coil spring 142 is under least tension when the folding bed frame 42 assumes the position illustrated in FIG. 2. When the folded bed frame 42 is initially moved from its fully retracted position of FIG. l, preferably by pulling upon the auxiliary frame 44, the tension coil spring 142 urges the folded bed into the position illustrated in FIG. 2.

A section linking member 144, as best seen in FiG. 3, is pivotally held at one end to the side frame member 9i) of the forward intermediate section 74. The other end of the section linking member 144 is pivotally and movably held by a pivot means 146 disposed in an elongated slot 148 formed in the side frame member 88 of the rearward intermediate section 72. Movement of the pivot means 146 along the slot 148 is controlled by a cam member 150 carried by the leg member 120 of the crank member 118. As long as the edge of the cam member 150 engages the pivot means 146 as in FIG. 2, movement of that pin along the slot 148 is forestalled. Thus it is seen the leg member 120 must move some distance away from the underside of the rearward intermediate section 72 before the cam member 150 disengages the pivot means 146 permitting movement of the pivot means. The pivot means 146 is also fastened to one end of a link member 152, which is disposed along the inner face of the side frame member 88 of the rearward intermediate section 72 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The link member 152 at its other end carries an outwardly projecting pin member 154, which extends through a slot 156 in the side frame member S8. This second slot 156 is spaced from the aforementioned slot 148 toward the rearward end of the side frame member 88. The pin member 154 is movable along the length of the slot 156 and responds to movement of the link member 152. The piu member 154 is fastened to one end of a tension coil spring 158, which is allxed at its other end to the side frame member 88 near its rearward end. The spring 158 urges the pin member 154 and the link member 152 rearwardly as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The linkage arrangement 112 cooperates with the downward and forward movement of the head section to maintain the foot section 76 and the forward intermediate section 74 in their relative retracted positions, thus assuring that the mattress 102 will remain folded, and that the folding bed frame 42 will still remain in a manageable unit for the individual opening the bed. During horizontal alignment of the head section 70 and the rearward intermediate section 72 there occurs, as seen in FIG. 2, an elevating of the rearward intermediate section 72 from its retracted position within the main frame 38 to an elevation somewhat above the main frame. The supporting of the head section 70 by the hanger 110 from the vertical members 56 of the upright structure 54 permits movement of the vertically disposed head section into a horizontal position, some distance removed from its initial retracted position. Examination of FIGS. 1 and 3 will show that the head section 70, because of this linkage, moves away from the overlying chair back 68, making the full length of the head section 70 available for use as a portion of the bed. With the initial opening of the bed to obtain the horizontal alignment of the head section 7i) and the rearward intermediate section 72, there is a general moving of the whole folding bed frame structure 42 in a forward direction. The supporting arm means 123 swings upwardly and forwardly through a vertical position into the supporting position illustrated in FlG. 3.

With the placement of the frame member 84 of the head section 70 in horizontal alignment with the side frame member 88 ofthe rearward intermediate section 72, there is a relative rearward movement of several components of the linkage arrangement 112. Linkage plate 114 which is pivotally connected to the side frame member 88 is pulled in a rearwardly direction by the link 116, which is pivotally held at its rear end to the side frame member 84 of the head section 70. This relative rearward movement of the linkage plate 114 actuales the crank member 118 through causing its second leg member 122 to move rearwardly in response to movement of the second link 124 connected to the linkage plate 114. it will be recalled that the crank member 118 is pivotally held to the folding bed frame 42 at the pivot means 8i) connecting the two

intermediate sections

72 and 74, with its longer first leg member 12!) being held in its retracted position against the underside of the rearward intermediate section 72. The rearward movement of the second leg member 122 of the crank means 118 consequently results in the downwardly and forwardly movement of the longer rst leg member 128 away from the rearward intermediate section 72 and eventually into engagement with the floor on which the chair bed 30 rests, as best illustrated in FIG. 3.

The cam member 150 carried by the iirst leg member during a large share of the legs downward movement away from the bed frame remains in engagement with the pivot means 146 disposed at one end of the section linking member 144. As long as the cam member 15'3 so engages the pivot means 146, that means is prevented from sliding along the slot 148 of the side frame member 88, with the result that the linking member 144 holds the forward intermediate section 74 in its retracted, sloping position. When the cam member disengages the pivot means 146, the latter means is free to move forwardly along the slot 14S, thus permitting the movement of the forward intermediate section 74 into horizontal align- 9 ment with the rearward intermediate section 72 as shown in FIG. 4. The leg member 120, being in its extended position as illustrated in FIG. 3, is directly beneath the pivot connection 80 of the two

intermediate sections

72 and 74, thus providing support for these two sections to hold them in horizontal alignment.

There is no similar leg support for the pivot means 78 connecting the head section 70 to the rearward intermediate section 72 when these two sections are in horizontal alignment but another means is provided for locking the latter two sections together so that they will be able to support a load without breaking when the bed is in use.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 4a, it will be seen that the pin member 154 disposed in the slot 156 of the side frame member 88 engages an edge of the linkage plate 114. The linkage plate 114 in the position illustrated in FIG. 4 has a rearwardly-extending projection 160 whose upper edge 162 serves as a cam surface for engaging the pin member 154. The upper cam edge 162 of the projection 160 terminates in a downwardly and rearwardlyextending sloping edge 164. The pin 154 in extending through the slot 156 and into engagement with the upper cam edge 162 of the projection 161), with the cooperation of the

links

116 and 138, locks the head section 70 to the rearward intermediate section 72. The pin 154 being at the rearward end of the link member 152 (see FIG. 7) which engages the innerface of the side frame member 88 is pulled in a forwardly direction along the length of the slot 156 when the link 152 is actuated through movement of the linking member 144, which connects the two

intermediate sections

72 and 74.

The downwardly sloping edge 164 of the projection 160 of linkage plate 114 assists in the full horizontal alignment of the head section 70 and rearward intermediate section 72 in the following fashion: if there is still some degree of buckling, i.e., downward depression of the pivot means 78 away from a full horizontal position, the movement of the pin 154 in a forwardly direction will first result in that pin engaging a portion of the sloping edge 164 of the projection 160, with the result that continued movement of the pin forces the projection 160 downwardly, causing the head section 70 and intermediate section 72 to enter full alignment upon the positioning of the pin member 154 against the cam edge 162 of the projection 160. Thus it is seen the forwardly pivoting of the forward intermediate section 74 into horizontal alignment with the rearward intermediate section 72, through movement of the linking member 1144 and link member 152 results in the locking of the head section 70 to the rearward intermediate section 72. The forward pivoting of the forward intermediate section is best achieved by grasping the transverse frame member 94 of the foot section 76 and lifting it forwardly and upwardly.

Means are provided for delaying the opening of the foot section 76 into its extended position until after the forward intermediate section 74 has been placed in alignment with the rearward intermediate section 72. This desired sequence of operations is obtained through a linkage 168 (see FIG. 4) which includes a link member 170, a gravity lock mechanism 172, `and a crank member 174. The crank member 174 is pivotally fastened to the side frame member 92 of the foot section 76, near its outer end. The crank member 174 is made up of an elongated leg member 176, which in its retracted position is held against or in close proximity to the top side of the foot section 76 in its retracted position. The other end of the crank member 174 is bent at an angle to the leg member 76, providing a short arm 178, which extends towards the underlying rearward intenmediate section 72 when the bed frame 42 is in its retracted position. The link member 170 which in a `general way parallels the side frame member 92 is connected to the forward intermediate section 74 at a point removed from the end of the section 74. The other end of the link member `170 is pivotally connected to the outer end of the short arm 178 of the crank member 174. Thus it is seen the side frame member 92, the short arm 178, and link member 170, a short portion of the side frame member 9i) (between the pivot 82 and the point of pivot of linkage all together define a parallelogram linkage (best seen in FIG. 4) whose sides are movable with respect to each other since the sides of the parallelogram` are pivotally interconnected.

The gravity lock mechanism 172 `when in its locked position xes the sides of the parallelogram with respect to each other, and thereby forestalls the pivoting of the foot section 76 about the pivot means 32 away from the forward intermediate section 74. The gravity lock mechanism 172 is made up of two, closely-spaced cover plates i180, which contain between them a pivoted latch 182. The latch `182 is held between the two cover plates 180 by a pivot means 184. The short arm 178 of the crank member `174 is pivotally held at its outer end to the gravity lock mechanism 172, and to the link member 170 by a pivot means 186. The link member 170 is aixed to the gravity lock mechanism 172 by two rivets 188 and the aforementioned pivot means 186. The short arm 178 along its length is provided with a pin 190, which engages with the gravity lock mechanism 172 by seating in a pin opening 192 of the cover `plates 180. With the foot section 76 overlying the rearward intermediate section 72 as illustrated in FlGS. l, 2, and 3 inclusive, the gravity lock mechanism is locked with the pin being engaged by the inside of the latch 182. As mentioned before under these conditions, the foot section 76 is fixed with respect to the forward intermediate section 74 and cannot be pivoted forwardly beyond the relative positions illustrated. However, with the placing of the forward intermediate section 74 in parallel alignment `with the rearward intermediate section 72 as shown in FIG. 4, the foot section 76 reaches a position wherein the latch 182 moves under gravity to unlock the gravity lock mechanism 172. Up to the obtaining of this absolute position of the foot section 76, its relative position to the forward intermediate section 74 has remained the same, even though the for- Ward intermediate section 74 has been changing its position relative to the rearward intermediate section 72. The gravity lock mechanism in its unlocked state is illustrated in FIG. 10, where it is seen that the latch 182 has shifted under the intluence of gravity to free the pin 190 carried by the short arm 178 of the crank member 174. With the gravity lock :mechanism positioned as shown in FIG. 10, the aforementioned parallelogram is no longer fixed and the four sides are movable with respect to each other, thus permitting the forwardly swing of the foot section 76 about its pivot means 82 into horizontal alignment with the forward intermediate section 74 as best illustrated in FIG. 5. As the foot section 76 continues its forward and downward swing to its exten-ded position, the link member 170 of the linkage arrangement 168 pulls the short arm 178 rearwardly with the result that the leg member 176 moves away from said section into its extended position, ready `for engagement with the floor with the completion of the downward swing of the foot section 76.

The auxiliary frame 44 disposed at the front of the fully retracted folding bed frame 42 has each of its hangers 194 (one on either side of the chair bed) connected by a short link 194 to the aforementioned link member 170 associated with the foot section 76. The link 194 provides stability to the auxiliary frame, which would otherwise be freely pivotal about pivot means 82.

The two hangers 110, which are pivotally connected to the foot section 70 about pivots 196, each carry an outwardly-extending, short pin 198 at one end. Each pin 198 rests in an upwardly-opening slot 200, provided in the end of the adjacent upwardly-turned tab member 60 of the upright structure 54. An S-shaped latch member 202 is pivotally attached to each tab member 60 immediately below the slot 200; In its locked position the upper portion of the S-latch engages pin 198 of the hanger 110.

1 1 with upward movement of the lower portion of the S-latch (see FIG. 2) the upper portion of the latch moves downward and out of engagement with the pin 198.

The folding bed frame 42 is pivotally connected to the main frame 38 at four sites provided by the two aforementioned hanger pins 198 and the earlier described pivot means 130 associated with the supporting arm means 128. The pivot sites are most easily located in PIG. 2. With unlocking of the S-latch members 202, the folding bed frame 42 may be manually removed from the main frame 38. In removing the folding bed frame 42, the pivot means 130 are moved upwardly and forwardly out of the channel members 134 which are afixed to the main frame 38. This manner of suspending the folding bed frame within the main frame is an important feature as it facilitates manufacture and assemblage of the chair bed.

Another desirable feature of the chair bed of the invention is illustrated in FIG. l2 where it is seen that the chair bed in a partially opened condition may be tilted to permit access for an automatic cleaner 20 or the like beneath the main frame 38. This is a decided advantage over conventional designs because chair beds are necessarily quite heavy and the foregoing feature makes easy the housewives chore in cleaning around the chair bed.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes, modifications, and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims which follow.

I claim:

l. In a folding bed, the combination of: a main frame; and a folding bed frame pivotally suspended from said main frame and movable relative thereto between retracted and extended positions, said folding bed frame in its retracted position being fully supported by the main frame and forming a seat structure and including pivotally interconnected foot, forward intermediate, rearward intermediate, and head sections which are disposed in horizontal alignment when said bed frame is in its extended position, said foot section in the bcd frame retracted position being disposed above said rearward intermediate section, and said forward intermediate section being disposed in a relatively upright retracted position at the front of said seat structure with said head section being disposed in a generally vertical position `at the rear of said seat structure, said bed having the bed frame pivotally and removably suspended to the main frame in part through a disconnectible linkage means pivotally connected to the main frame and to the head section, said linkage means providing downward and forward movement of the head section from its vertical retracted position to its horizontal extended position, and wherein the bed frame is also pivotally and removably suspended t0 the main frame through a supporting arm means pivotally interlinked to the main frame and to the rearward intermediate section and swingable in fore-and-aft direction through an upright position to guide said bed frame between its retracted and extended positions, and means for maintaining the foot, forward intermediate, and rearward intermediate sections in relative retracted positions during the horizontal alignment of the head section and the rearward intermediate section, said means including a crank means pivotally held at the pivotal connection between the two intermediate sections and having a first leg mem ber which in its retracted position is in close proximity to the underside of the rearward intermediate section and a second leg member disposed at an angle to said first le g member and interlinked to the supporting arm means so that the first leg member in response to the swinging movement of the supporting arm means moves away from the rearward intermediate section and eventually into engagement with the surface on which said bed rests, said first leg member carrying a cam member which cooperates with a linkage connecting the two intermediate sections,

which linkage when the cam member is in engagement therewith holds the forward intermediate section in its relatively upright retracted position, said linkage, upon movement of the cam member out of engagement therewith, permitting the movement of the forward intermediate section into horizontal alignment with said rearward intermediate section.

2. In a folding bed, the combination of: a main frame; and a folding bed frame pivotally suspended from said main frame and movable relative thereto between retracted and extended positions, said folding bed frame in its retracted position being fully supported by the main frame and forming a seat structure and including pivotally interconnected foot, forward intermediate, rearward intermediate, and head sections which are disposed in horizontal alignment when said bed frame is in its extended position, said foot section in the bed frame retracted position being disposed above said rearward intermediate section, and said forward intermediate section being disposed in a relatively upright retracted position at the front of said seat structure with said head section being disposed in a generally vertical position at the rear of said seat structure, said bed having the bed frame pivotally suspended to the main frarne in part through a linkage means pivotally connected to the main frame and to the head section, said linkage means providing downward and forward movement of the head section from its vertical retracted position to its horizontal extended position, and whe rein the bed frame is also pivotally suspended to the main frame through a supporting arm means pivotally interlinkcd to the main frame and to the rearward intermediate section and swingable in fore-and-aft direction through an upright position to guide said bed frame between its retracted and extended positions, and means for maintaining the foot, forward intermediate, and rearward intermediate sections in relative retracted positions during the horizontal alignment of the head section and the rearward intermediate section, said means including a crank means pivotally held at the pivotal connection between the two intermediate sections and having a first leg member which in its retracted position is in close proximity to the underside of the rearward intermediate section and a second leg member disposed at an angle to said tirst leg member and interlinked to the supporting arm means so that the first leg member in response to the swinging movement of the supporting arm means moves away from the rearward intermediate section and eventually into engagement with the surface on which said bed rests, said first leg member carrying `a cam member which `cooperates with a linkage connecting the two intermediatc sections, which linkage when the cam member is in engagement therewith holds the forward intermediate section in its relatively upright retracted position, said linkage, upon movement of the cam member out of engagement therewith, permitting the movement of the forward intermediate section into horizontal alignment with said rearward intermediate section.

3. A folding bed, the combination of: a main frame; and a folding bed frame pivotally suspended to said main frame and movable relative thereto between retracted and extended positions, said bed frame being pivotally suspended to the main frame in part through a linkage means pivotally connected to the main frame and to the head section, said linkage means providing downward and forward movement of the head section from its vertical retracted position to its horizontal extended position, and said bed frame also being pivotally suspended to the main frame through a supporting arm means pivotally interlinked to the rnain frame and to the rearward nitermediate section and swingable in fore-and-aft direction through an upright position to guide said bed frame bctween its retracted and extended positions, said folding bed frame in its retracted position being fully supported by said main frame and forming a seat structure for said bed and including pivotally interconnected foot, forward intermediate, rearward intermediate, and head sections which are disposed in horizontal alignment when said bed frame is in its extended position, said foot section in the bed frame retracted position being disposed above said rearward intermediate section and said forward intermediate section being disposed in a relatively upright position at the front of said seat structure with said head section being disposed in a generally vertical position at the rear of said seat structure, means for maintaining the forward intermediate and rearward intermediate sections in their relative retracted positions during movement of the head section out of its vertical retracted position into horizontal alignment with the rearward intermediate section, said latter means permitting movement of the forward intermediate section into horizontal alignment with the rearward intermediate section subsequent to the alignment of the head and rearward intermediate sections and including a crank means pivotally held at the pivotal connection between the two intermediate sections and having a first leg member which in its fully retracted position is 'l in close proximity to the underside of the rearward intermediate section and a second leg member disposed at a angle to said rst leg member and interlinked to the supporting arm `means so that the first leg member in response to the swingable movement of the supporting arm means moves away from the rearward intermediate section and eventually into engagement with a surface on which said bed rests, said first leg member carrying a cam m-ember which cooperates with a linkage connecting the two intermediate sections, which linkage when the cam member is in engagement therewith holds the forward intermediate section in its relative upright retracted position, said linkage with movement of the cam member out of engagement therewith permitting the movement of the forward intermediate section into horizontal alignment with said rearward intermediate section, and means for delaying movement of the foot section into horizontal alignment with the forward intermediate section until after the latter section has been placed in alignment with the rearward intermediate section.

4. In a folding bed, the combination of: a main frame; and a folding bed frame pivotally suspended to said main frame yand movable relative thereto between retracted and extended positions, said folding bed `frame in its retracted position being fully supported by said main frame and forming a seat structure for said folding bed and having pivotally interconnected sections including an intermediate section and a head section which are disposed in horizontal alignment when said bed frame is in its extended position, means for moving the head section downwardly and forwardly away `from the rear of the main frame into horizontal alignment with the intermediate section, said means including a linkage plate pivotally held to the intermediate section and an elongated link pivotally held at its opposite ends to an upper portion of the linkage plate and to a central portion of the head section, said elongated link with the bed in its extended position assuming a generally parallel position with respect to the aligned head and intermediate sections, and releasable means for holding the elongated link to the aligned two sections, thus providing a load support across the pivotal connection of said two aligned sections, said releasable means comprising a projection on the linkage plate which with movement of the elongated link into its generally parallel position with the two aligned sections engages a pin carried by said intermediate section.

5. A folding bed in `accordance with claim 4 wherein the pin :is disposed in a longitudinal slot in the intermediate section and is movable lengthwise of said slot into and out of engagement with the linkage plate.

6. In a folding bed, the combination of: a main frame; and a folding bed frame pivotally suspended from said main frame and movable relative thereto between retracted and extended positions, said folding bed frame in its retracted position being `fully supported by said main frame an-d forming a seat structure for said folding bed and having pivotally interconnected section-s inclu-ding a forward intermediate, a rearward intermediate, and head sections which are disposed in horizontal alignment when said bed `frame is in its extended position, means for moving the head section downwardly and forwardly away from the rear of the main frame into horizontal `alignment with the rearward intermediate section, said means including a linkage plate pivotally held to the rearward intermediate section, and an elongated link pivotally held `at its opposite ends to the linkage plate and to the head section, said elongated link with the bed in its extended position assuming a generally parallel position with respect to the aligned head and rearward intermediate sections, and a releasable means directly cooperating with the linkage plate for holding the elongated link to the aligned two sections, thus providing a load support across the pivotal connection of said two aligned sections, said releasable means `being connected through a linkage to the forward intermediate section and being activated by movement of sai-d forward intermediate section into and out of alignment with the rearward intermediate section, said linkage comprising components separate from the rearward intermediate section.

7. In a fol-ding bed, the combination of: a main frame; and a folding bed frame pivotally suspended from .said main frame and movable relative thereto between retracted and extended positions, said folding bed frame in its retracted position being fully supported by said main frame and forming a seat structure for said folding bed and having pivotally interconnected sections including `a forward intermediate, a rearward intermediate, and head sections which are disposed in horizontal alignment when said bed frame is in its extended position, means for moving the head section downwardly and forwardly away from the rear of the main frame into horizontal alignment with the rearward intermediate section, said means including a linkage plate pivotally held to the rearward intermediate section, and an elongated link pivotally held at its opposite ends to the linkage plate and to the head section, said elongated link with the bed in its extended position assuming a generally parallel position with respect to the aligned head and rearward intermediate sections, and `a releasable means cooperating with the linkage plate for holding the elongated link to the aligned two sections, thus providing a load support across the pivotal connection of said two aligned sections, said releasable means being connected through a linkage to the forward intermediate section and being activated by movement of said forward intermediate section into and out of alignment with the rearward intermediate section, said releasable means including a pin disposed in a slot in the rearward intermediate section and movable lengthwise of said slot into and out of engagement with the linkage plate, said pin being connected by said linkage to the forward intermediate section.

8. A folding bed in aordance with claim 7 wherein said linkage between the movable pin and the forward intermediate section comprises a link having said pin at one end and a second pin at its other end, said second pin being slidably carried lengthwise of a second slot in the rearward intermediate section, and a linking member pivotally held at one end to the second pin and at its other end to the forward intermediate section.

9. In a folding bed, the combination of: a main frame; and a folding bed frame pivotally suspended from said main frame and movable relative thereto between retracted and extended positions, said folding bed frame in its retracted position being fully supported by said main frame and forming a seat for said folding bed and includ- `ing pivotally interconnected foot, forward intermediate, rearward intermediate, and head sections which are disposed in horizontal alignment when said bed `frame is in its extended position, means for moving the head section main frame into horizontal alignment with the rearward intermediate section, said means including a linkage plate pivotally held to the rearward intermediate section, an elongated link pivotally held at its opposite ends to the linkage plate and to the head section, said elongated link with the bed in its extended position assuming a generally parallel position with respect to the aligned head and rearward intermediate sections, a releasable means for holding the elongated link to the aligned head and rearward intermediate sections, thus providing a load support across the pivotal connection of said two aligned sections, and a crank means pivotally held to the rearward intermediate section and having a first leg member which `in its retracted position is in close proximity to the underside of the rearward intermediate section and a second leg member disposed at an angle to said first leg member and interlinked to the linkage plate so that the first leg member in response to `movement of said linkage plate and said elongated link moves away from the rearward intermediate section and eventually into engagement with a surface on which said folding bed rests, said releasable means for holding the elongated link to the aligned head and rearward intermediate sections including a pin disposed in a slot in the rearward intermediate section and movable lengthwise of said slot into and out of locking engagement with the linkage plate.

10. A folding bed in accordance with claim 9 wherein the pin is connected by a linkage to the forward intermediate section and is activated to move into and out of engagement with the linkage plate with movement of the forward intermediate section into and out of alignment with the rearward intermediate section.

ll. A folding bed in accordance with claim 10 wherein said linkage between the `movable pin and the forward intermediate section comprises a link having said pin at one end and a second pin at its other end, said second pin being slidably carried lengthwise of a second slot in the rearward intermediate section, and a linking member pivotally held at one end to the second pin `and at its other end to the forward intermediate section.

12. ln `a folding bed, the combination of: a main frame; and a folding bed frame pivotally suspended from said main frame and movable relative thereto between retracted and extended positions, said folding bed frame in its retracted position being fully supported by said main frame and forming a seat for said folding `bed `and including pivotally interconnected foot, forward intermediate, rearward intermediate, and head sections which are disposed in horizontal alignment when said bed frame is in its extended position, means for moving the head section Cil downwardly and forwardly away from the rear of the main frame into horizontal alignment with the rearward intermediate section, said means including a linkage plate pivotally held to the rearward intermediate section, an elongated link pivotally held at its opposite ends to the linkage plate and to the head section, ysaid elongated link with the bed in its extended position assuming `a generally parallel position with respect to the aligned head and rearward intermediate sections, a releasable means for holding the elongated link to the aligned head and rearward intermediate sections, thus providing a `load support across the pivotal connection of `said two aligned sections, and a crank means pivotally held to the rearwand intermediate section `and having a first leg member which in its retracted position is in close proximity to the underside of the rearward intermediate section and a second shorter leg member disposed at an angle to said first leg member and fixed thereto and directly coupled by a linking member to the linkage plate so that the first leg member tin response to movement of said linkage plate and said elongated link moves away from the rearward intermediate section and eventually into engagement with a surface on which said folding bed rests, said releasable means being connected through a linkage to the forward intermediate section and being activated by movement of the forward intermediate section into and out of alignment with the rearward intcrmediate section, said linkage comprising components sep arate from the rearward intermediate section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,019,606 Curtis Mar. 5, 1912 1,885,812 Fichtenbaum Nov. 1, 1932 2,544,132 Bua Mar. 6, 1951 2,634,428 Fox Apr. 14, 1953 2,661,485 Gursky Dec. 8, 1953 2,734,201 Bebry Feb. 14, 1956 2,785,415 Petersen Mar. 19, 1957 2,807,030 Fox Sept. 24, 1957 2,818,583 Nowell et al Jan. 7, 1958 2,829,382 Bank et al. Apr. 8, 1958 2,844,827 Bank et al. July 29` 1958 2,939,155 Coopersmith June 7, 1960 2,975,433 Coopersmith et al. Mar, 2l, 1961 3,005,211 Pokorny Oct. 24, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 753,986 Great Britain Aug. 1, 1956

Claims

1. IN A FOLDING BED, THE COMBINATION OF: A MAIN FRAME; AND A FOLDING BED FRAME PIVOTALLY SUSPENDED FROM SAID MAIN FRAME AND MOVABLE RELATIVE THERETO BETWEEN RETRACTED AND EXTENDED POSITIONS, SAID FOLDING BED FRAME IN ITS RETRACTED POSITION BEING FULLY SUPPORTED BY THE MAIN FRAME AND FORMING A SEAT STRUCTURE AND INCLUDING PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTED FOOT, FORWARD INTERMEDIATE, REARWARD INTERMEDIATE, AND HEAD SECTIONS WHICH ARE DISPOSED IN HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT WHEN SAID BED FRAME IS IN ITS EXTENDED POSITION, SAID FOOT SECTION IN THE BED FRAME RETRACTED POSITION BEING DISPOSED ABOVE SAID REARWARD INTERMEDIATE SECTION, AND SAID FORWARD INTERMEDIATE SECTION BEING DISPOSED IN A RELATIVELY UPRIGHT RETRACTED POSITION AT THE FRONT OF SAID SEAT STRUCTURE WITH SAID HEAD SECTION BEING DISPOSED IN A GENERALLY VERTICAL POSITION AT THE REAR OF SAID SEAT STRUCTURE, SAID BED HAVING THE BED FRAME PIVOTALLY AND REMOVABLY SUSPENDED TO THE MAIN FRAME IN PART THROUGH A DISCONNECTIBLE LINKAGE MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE MAIN FRAME AND TO THE HEAD SECTION, SAID LINKAGE MEANS PROVIDING DOWNWARD AND FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE HEAD SECTION FROM ITS VERTICAL RETRACTED POSITION TO ITS HORIZONTAL EXTENDED POSITION, AND WHEREIN THE BED FRAME IS ALSO PIVOTALLY AND REMOVABLY SUSPENDED TO THE MAIN FRAME THROUGH A SUPPORTING ARM MEANS PIVOTALLY INTERLINKED TO THE MAIN FRAME AND TO THE REARWARD INTERMEDIATE SECTION AND SWINGABLE IN FORE-AND-AFT DIRECTION THROUGH AN UPRIGHT POSITION TO GUIDE SAID BED FRAME BETWEEN ITS RETRACTED AND EXTENDED POSITIONS, AND MEANS FOR MAINTAINING THE FOOT, FORWARD INTERMEDIATE, AND REARWARD INTERMEDIATE SECTIONS IN RELATIVE RETRACTED POSITIONS DURING THE HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT OF THE HEAD SECTION AND THE REARWARD INTERMEDIATE SECTION, SAID MEANS INCLUDING A CRANK MEANS PIVOTALLY HELD AT THE PIVOTAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO INTERMEDIATE SECTIONS AND HAVING A FIRST LEG MEMBER WHICH IN ITS RETRACTED POSITION IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE REARWARD INTERMEDIATE SECTION AND A SECOND LEG MEMBER DISPOSED AT AN ANGLE TO SAID FIRST LEG MEMBER AND INTERLINKED TO THE SUPPORTING ARM MEANS SO THAT THE FIRST LEG MEMBER IN RESPONSE TO THE SWINGING MOVEMENT OF THE SUPPORTING ARM MEANS MOVES AWAY FROM THE REARWARD INTERMEDIATE SECTION AND EVENTUALLY INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SURFACE ON WHICH SAID BED RESTS, SAID FIRST LEG MEMBER CARRYING A CAM MEMBER WHICH COOPERATES WITH A LINKAGE CONNECTING THE TWO INTERMEDIATE SECTIONS, WHICH LINKAGE WHEN THE CAM MEMBER IS IN ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH HOLDS THE FORWARD INTERMEDIATE SECTION IN ITS RELATIVELY UPRIGHT RETRACTED POSITION, SAID LINKAGE, UPON MOVEMENT OF THE CAM MEMBER OUT OF ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH, PERMITTING THE MOVEMENT OF THE FORWARD INTERMEDIATE SECTION INTO HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID REARWARD INTERMEDIATE SECTION.